Ajira won the ODI World Cup title for the sixth time after silencing 130,000 Indian spectators in the World Cup final. At the pre-match press conference, Aussie captain Pat Cummins said, ‘We will silence thousands of Indian fans in the stadium in the final.’ He kept his word.
He silenced the fans by giving India the taste of defeat for the first time in the tournament. From the start of the World Cup, the hosts played brilliantly under the leadership of Rohit Sharma. Team India played a total of 10 matches in the first round and semi-finals, excluding the final. With the win in those matches, India went from undefeated to the final of the World Cup. However, Australia reminded of 2003 when they lost to Australia in the final at home.
Various Australian cricketers reacted after losing the World Cup final to India at home. Some cricketers are mentioned below.
Josh Hazelwood
‘I think it’s bigger than winning the 2015 World Cup. Because we won the 2015 World Cup at our home ground in front of our fans. But winning the World Cup here was quite difficult. Because of the challenges we’ve gone through in the last few months — it’s not easy to come here and play in these conditions against a special team like India.
Again, to win on a day like this is amazing. So huge support; Indian fans are second to none. But I think the first two matches (against India and South Africa) were probably against two of the best teams in the competition, and we lost there. But then we spent the rest of the tournament brilliantly. And the whole time we were just winning. I think we had a perfect game tonight. Which we all played together.
Marnus Labusanne
‘What we have achieved today is incredible. This is my best achievement ever. India played very good cricket throughout the tournament. They are the best team in the tournament. There is no doubt about it. But we knew if we played our best cricket we could beat India. So we tried to play our best in this match. Our bowlers did well and then Travis (Head) played a great innings. Which turned the tide in this match. It feels great to be a part of it.
I know you all know that I am a man of faith and I believe in God. The way it all happened is unbelievable to me. It’s amazing. I am lost for words to speak lost for words. Every time I thought I was done – the team wasn’t even announced until 10:10 last night. The coaches went out on the field – it might rain, I might stay out. I am grateful to them for being with me. I have no words to explain this feeling. A few months ago I was not even in the ODI team against South Africa. To play 19 consecutive matches after that is truly a miracle. I don’t know how this all happened. But I thank God for that.’
Travis Head
‘I was at home at the time of the injury. I used to sit on the sofa. If not for the injury, I could not have played the World Cup. But I’m very lucky that everything worked out and I was able to come back here. But yes, I was a bit nervous in the beginning. Marnus was an exception. He was quite confident. And that’s why I was able to gradually overcome the pressure. But my fourth wicket stand of 192 runs with him was quite amazing. We may not when Mitchell Marsh is out and back. But I knew that slowly the wicket would be getting stronger. That’s why we won the toss at the beginning of the match and decided to field which worked.’
‘Rohit Sharma is probably the unluckiest man in the world. I caught such a catch. But I never imagined to score 100 in this match. I think Rohit Sharma’s catch turned the game around. But to win the title under such pressure is fantastic.’
Mitchell Starc
‘He (Cummins) was fantastic. I think he played brilliantly throughout the tournament. His decision making, his leadership, sometimes he has to step forward with the ball when the team needs him. He has been fantastic for us and has had a great time this whole World Cup. It was an incredible title win between Pat Cummins, the coaching staff, the players. I don’t think any of you could have written a script more shocking than our World Cup journey. Winning the World Cup in India – it’s been a fantastic, eight week journey, a bit tough. It was a great success and a lot of fun.’
Steven Smith
“It’s unbelievable, the atmosphere here today was amazing. It was just a great performance. “Our bowlers have done really well, the fielding was excellent this evening,” Davy said. Travis Head, the performance he gave was incredible. Even when we were 3 for 60 (47 for 3) he continued to play, playing his way. I would say Marnus also played an incredible innings at the other end in a supporting role. It was a great pairing and yes, another (World Cup title)”
‘(The World Cup) didn’t start well for us. Yes, we believed we were a good team, we had a great staff and we believed we could turn around and fortunately, we were able to do that. Finally managed to make it to the top four. Australia usually play pretty well in those moments (final) and yes, another dream come true today to win another final. It’s been a big year for us, winning the Test Championship and after that.’
David Warner
“Our bowlers have been fantastic, have been bowling brilliantly for the last few matches, and our fielding has been brilliant as well. Today we got success by winning our toss and fielding. To bowl them out (India) for 240 runs in the final was absolutely exceptional. Restricting India to so few runs made it easier for the batsmen. But everyone in the dressing room was a little nervous before coming out to bat. But after such incredible innings by Head and Marnus, everyone regained confidence. Heady made an incredible comeback from injury in South Africa, scoring a century in his first game back and in front of a packed crowd here tonight. He was absolutely amazing.’
Glenn Maxwell
‘Everything feels incredible. I think we all got excited when only 20 runs were needed to win the title. I thought this time in 2015 too the match would be over before I came out to bat, but unfortunately Heady got out. But it was great to be on the field with Marnus and the boys were able to get on the field after winning by a run, and what a great win! Head batting against Jasprit Bumrah looked different. It’s not often you’re in second place…but how good were these two! Marnus handled the pressure there—he was absolutely fantastic and Heady, the way he played under pressure in the final is hard to put into words.’
Mitchell Marsh
‘Very pleasant. I told some of the team a few days ago, it was difficult. We won when Sri Lanka were 0 for 120. It seems like a lifetime. But to be with this team is incredible.’
